Chapter 19 - THE SINS OF THE FATHER'S EMPIREThe drive back to Chicago felt entirely different. In the backseat of the SUV rested a heavy, steel lockbox containing the absolute, undeniable proof of Victor Raines’s monstrous crimes. Caleb drove with a cold, terrifying precision. Hannah sat beside him, watching the skyline of the city loom closer in the darkness.
When they arrived at Caleb’s apartment building, they didn't go upstairs. Standing in the shadows of the underground parking garage, surrounded by his remaining loyal bodyguards, was Dominic Vale.
Dominic stepped forward as Caleb, Hannah, and Maya got out of the car. When the mafia boss laid eyes on Maya, seeing the silver sparrow pendant resting on her chest, his breath hitched violently.
"You found her," Dominic whispered, his voice cracking. He looked at Caleb. "Is Elena...?"
Caleb raised his hands. The signs were sharp, unforgiving. "She died ten years ago. Her heart failed. She died in hiding because your best friend tried to murder her."
Dominic staggered backward as if he had been shot. The color completely drained from his face. "Victor," he choked out. "Victor did this."
"Victor was laundering millions by exploiting deaf children in state facilities," Caleb continued signing, his eyes blazing with furious condemnation. "Mom found out. She sacrificed her life to protect me, and to protect you, because she knew Victor would slaughter us all if she didn't disappear."
Dominic fell to his knees on the concrete floor of the garage. The ruthless, untouchable crime boss was completely annihilated by the weight of his own ignorance. He had spent years trusting the man who had ordered the assassination of his wife. He had let Victor control the foundation. He had let Victor control the money. He had let the wolf sleep in his house.
"I didn't know," Dominic sobbed, burying his face in his hands. "Caleb, I swear to God, I didn't know."
Hannah watched the broken man on the floor. She stepped forward and signed: "Ignorance isn't an excuse, Mr. Vale. Your wife died trying to clean up the corruption in your empire. Now you have a choice. You can protect your legacy, or you can help your son avenge his mother."
Dominic slowly looked up. The tears were still falling, but the sorrow in his eyes was rapidly crystallizing into a cold, terrifying, homicidal rage. He slowly stood up, wiping his face.
"Victor is scheduled to appear at a preliminary federal hearing tomorrow morning regarding the Bridge House embezzlement," Dominic said, his voice dropping into a lethal, gravelly vibration. "He thinks he has enough leverage to buy his way out of a conviction. He doesn't know we have this dossier."
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Caleb stepped forward, holding the heavy steel lockbox. He looked directly at his father and signed: "We aren't just giving this to the police. I want to look him in the eye when his life ends."
"He won't just go to prison, Caleb," Dominic promised, the absolute authority of the Chicago underworld radiating from his stance. "By the time I am finished with him, Victor Raines will beg for a cage."
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